Woolshed, Acacia Downs, Hughenden

News of the day

Muttaburra Stories: Conversations in the Shearing Shed, Richard Fidler

Tuesday 1 March 2016

In July 2014, Acacia Downs owners David and Sarah Fysh kindly allowed us to record a special night of stories and conversations in their shearing shed.

People came from hundreds of kilometres away to be in the audience, and enjoy the food put on by the Flock Ewe Show Society.

Storytellers were: 'Nocka' Peoples, Cheryl Thompson, Elizabeth 'Thumper' Clark and Belinda Terry.

At the time of this conversation, Jenny Underwood and her husband Roger lived on Evesleigh Station, a 24,000 hectare property.

Jenny was working as a teacher in Brisbane when she realised she needed to return to her country roots.

Much to the dismay of her friends, she left the city behind and settled in western Queensland. Jenny says she didn't regret the decision 'for one moment'.

She posted videos of her life on ABC Open to try and show the rest of the world the truth and beauty of life on the land.

Further information

Original broadcast 25 July 2014

Jenny Underwood's ABC Open page

2016 update: Jenny and Roger have moved from their western Queensland property, but are still working on the land.

Listen or download audio

Courtsy of the ABC

Background

The Acacia Downs Woolshed, near Hughended, once served as the meatworks in Hughenden back in the 1880s and was brought to Acacia Downs during the first World War.

"THE shearing shed at Acacia Downs near Muttaburra protrudes above its surrounding acacia thicket like a supernatural structure, and feels like a prop in a Mad Max movie up close – wool bales thump down onto the ground from an opening in the high floor above, while shorn sheep take a rollercoaster ride down chutes on either side.

A walk up the steps to the shearing board offers 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside, looking lush after rain in early March."

Courtesy of Farm Online National

 

Additional images

---

Discover more